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California's Cottage Food Law

California's Homemade Food Operations Act governs cottage food in the state. It allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a private home kitchen. The law covers a defined list of shelf-stable products, meaning foods that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. If you operate from your home and stay within the approved product list, you can run a legal cottage food business under this framework.

You can sell directly to consumers through farmers markets, farm stands, community events, and your home. California also permits online orders and shipping, which gives you more flexibility than many other states. Sales must be direct-to-consumer, so you can't wholesale your products to grocery stores or restaurants. Third-party delivery platforms operate in a legal gray area, so selling through those carries some risk.

Your annual gross sales are capped at $50,000. You'll need to register with your county health department before you start selling, and some counties require an annual permit fee. California requires a specific disclaimer on all labels. The state's permission to ship products is a meaningful advantage for home bakers looking to reach customers beyond their local area.

Quick Summary

California cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins)
  • •Candy and confections
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Fruit butters
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Dried pasta

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Seafood products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration after preparation
  • •Custard or cream-filled pastries
  • •Cheesecakes
  • •Alcohol-containing products

Sales limit: $50,000 per year

Annual Limit

$50,000/year

Permit Required

Yes

Online Orders

Allowed

Shipping

Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins)
  • ✓Candy and confections
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Fruit butters
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Dried pasta
  • ✓Dried herbs and herb mixes
  • ✓Trail mixes and granola
  • ✓Popcorn and popcorn products
  • ✓Honey and beeswax products
  • ✓Fruit pies (non-custard)
  • ✓Vinegars and mustards
  • ✓Chocolate-covered nonperishable foods

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Seafood products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration after preparation
  • ✗Custard or cream-filled pastries
  • ✗Cheesecakes
  • ✗Alcohol-containing products
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
  • ✗Raw sprouts
  • ✗Foods containing fresh fruits or vegetables requiring refrigeration

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Name of the cottage food operation
  • ✓Home address of the operation
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Allergen declaration per FDA requirements
  • ✓Required state disclaimer statement

Required Label Disclaimer

“Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by a local environmental health jurisdiction. The food is not prepared in a food facility approved by the regulatory authority.”

Starting a Home Bakery in California

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most California home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps California bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for California Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the California required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

California allows online orders

Launch an online bakery storefront

Since California permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.

Get your free storefrontDownload the iOS app →

Common Questions California Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in California?+
Yes. California's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in California?+
Yes. California requires cottage food producers to obtain a permit or registration before selling. Contact your state health department for application details.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in California?+
California cottage food producers may earn up to $50,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in California?+
Yes. California permits online orders for cottage food products. However, products must typically be delivered directly to the buyer in person — shipping is also permitted.
Can I ship cottage food products in California?+
Yes. California permits shipping of cottage food products to customers, which expands your market beyond local in-person sales.
What foods can I sell from home in California?+
Under California's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins), Candy and confections, Jams, jellies, and preserves, Fruit butters, Roasted nuts, Dried pasta and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in California?+
California requires cottage food labels to include: Name of the cottage food operation; Home address of the operation; Product name; Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight. Labels must also display the disclaimer: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by a local environmental health jurisdiction. The food is not prepared in a food facility approved by the regulatory authority.".

Common California cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in California?→ Can I ship cottage food in California?→ What is California's cottage food sales limit?→ What are California's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in California?

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